Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on August 31 postponed the Haryana Assembly election to October 5 from October 1. The poll body also changed the schedule for the counting of votes in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, from October 4 to October 8. The Commission had announced the schedule of the three-phase J-K elections and the single-phase Haryana polls on August 16.
The change was made to respect both the voting rights of citizens and the traditions of the Bishnoi community, which, as stated by the poll body, observes a centuries-old practice of participating in the Asoj Amavasya festival in Rajasthan in honour of their Guru Jambheshwar.
“It may deny voting rights to a large number of people and may lead to reduced voter participation in the election to the legislative assembly of Haryana. The Commission, having considered these representations, has decided to change the date of poll only for Haryana from October 1, 2024 (Tuesday) to October 5, 2024 (Saturday),” the EC said.
The date of the third phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir will remain the same, ie., October 1.
Haryana BJP chief ML Badoli sought a postponement, arguing that there were holidays, including Gandhi Jayanti on Oct 2, before and after the poll date, which would give five holidays in a row. This would impact the turnout as people may travel out of the state.
